Bed covering retention assembly

ABSTRACT

A covering retention assembly including first and second clips. Each clip includes a base plate and a top plate. The base plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. The top plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one top plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. A hinge assembly interconnects the base plate and top plate such that the forward end of the top plate is biased toward the forward end of the base plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts the inner surface of the other plate and each tooth of the base plate and is laterally and longitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate. A strap extends between first and second free ends, with the first free end connected with the first clip and the second free end connected with the second clip.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appln. No. 63/221,062,filed Jul. 13, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to bed covering retention. More particularly,the disclosure relates to a clip and strap assembly configured to retainbed coverings in a desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is recommended to make one's bed every morning. However, depending onhow messy the sheets and other bed coverings got overnight, this can bea tedious task. This task is often more difficult with kids' beds, wheresheets seem to mysteriously disappear, e.g. the sheet gets pushed downto the foot of the bed. Additionally, when a bed is pushed against awall, it can be difficult to neatly adjust the coverings on the wallside of the bed.

In addition to the difficulties in making the bed, sheet and bedcovering position may affect the way a person sleeps. For example, somepeople like the flat sheet to be tucked with a certain “tension” so thatthey feel wrapped yet still free to move. If the bed is made fromscratch each morning, the sheets must be adjusted each day to achievethe desired tension. As another potential problem, when two people sharea bed, there is often a pulling of the bed coverings from one side tothe other.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a coveringretention assembly including first and second clips. Each clip includesa base plate and a top plate. The base plate extends from a rear end toa forward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an innersurface thereof proximate the forward end. The top plate extends from arear end to a forward end with at least one top plate tooth extendingfrom an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. A hingeassembly interconnects the base plate and top plate such that theforward end of the top plate is biased toward the forward end of thebase plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts the inner surface ofthe other plate and each tooth of the base plate is laterally andlongitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate. A strap extendsbetween first and second free ends, with the first free end connectedwith the first clip and the second free end connected with the secondclip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate the presently preferredembodiments of the disclosure, and, together with the generaldescription given above and the detailed description given below, serveto explain the features of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed with coverings secured theretowith a retention assembly in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bed of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 with the retention assemblypositioned in a different configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a clip in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base plate of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the base plate of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the top plate of the clip of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the top plate of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a clip in accordance with anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the base plate of the clip of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the base plate of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the top plate of the clip of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 is a plan view of an illustrative strap in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates the procedure for attaching one end of the strap toa respective clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present disclosure. The following describespreferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should beunderstood, based on this disclosure, that the disclosure is not limitedby the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary embodiment of a retention assembly50 is shown attached to coverings 12 positioned on a bed/mattress 10.The term covering is utilized to mean any sheets, blankets, comfortersor the like that may be positioned on the bed 10 to cover a personsleeping on the bed 10. The retention assembly 50 generally comprises apair of clips 60 a, 60 b with a strap 62 extending therebetween. Thestrap 62 is configured to extend under the mattress 10 with its endsconnected to respective clips 60 a, 60 b. Each clip 60 a, 60 b is thenconfigured to attach to a respect side of the coverings 12. Each clip 60a, 60 b may be attached to all or only desired coverings 12, forexample, only attached to the flat sheet but not the comforter.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 , both clips 60 a, 60 b are attached to the coverings12 at approximately the same distance from the foot of the bed 10, forexample, at approximately below the user's knee. As will be describedhereinafter, the strap 62 is adjustable relative to at least on of theclips 60 a, 60 b such that the tension on the coverings 12 may beadjusted to a desired snugness on the user's legs. Once the user getsout of bed 10, the bottom portion of the coverings 12 will be maintainedin the ideal position and the user only has to pull the coverings 12toward the head of the bed 10 to easily make the bed 10.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the retention assembly 50 is illustrated in adifferent configuration. The clip 60 a remains in the same positionproximate the foot of the bed 10, but the clip 60 b is attached to thecoverings 12 closer to the head of the bed 10. Such a configurationcreates a sleeping bag feel and may be useful with smaller children. Theconfiguration may also be useful when the bed 10 is positioned against awall or the like, with the clip 60 b on the wall side. The coverings 12along the wall remain in a neat, made position due to the attachment ofclip 60 b. The user exits the bed 10 by flipping one side of thecoverings 12 along the open side of the bed 10 and then simply makes thebed 10 by flipping the coverings 12 back once they exit the bed.

Referring to FIGS. 4-16 , a clip 60 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure will be described. The clip 60 can be utilized for bothclips 60 a, 60 b such that the clips 60 a, 60 b have the sameconfiguration or the clips 60 a, 60 b may have different configurationsfrom one another. The clip 60 generally comprises a base plate 70 with atop plate 90 pivotally connected thereto via a spring biased hingeassembly 80. Each of the plates 70, 90 includes a plurality of teeth 76,78, 96 proximate the forward ends 73, 93 thereof and extending towardthe opposite plate 70, 90. The rear ends 71, 91 of the plates 70, 90 arespaced from one another in the naturally biased positioned and may bemoved toward one another to move the teeth 76, 78 and 96 apart such thatthe clip 60 is ready to receive coverings 12 between the plates 70, 90.Upon release of the rear ends 71, 91, the spring biased hinge assembly80 moves the teeth 76, 78 and 96 toward one another, thereby capturingthe coverings 12 within the teeth 76, 78, 96.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 , the hinge assembly 80 includes a shaft 110extending through pivot posts 81, 83, 84 of the base plate 70 and pivotposts 101, 102, 103 of the top plate 90. As such, the shaft 110interconnects the plates 70, 90 such that they are pivotal to oneanother about the axis of the shaft 110. A pair of biasing springs 112are supported on the shaft 110. While two biasing springs 112 areillustrated, it is understood that more or fewer springs may beutilized. Additionally, while coil springs are illustrated, other typesof biasing mechanisms, for example, leaf springs, elastomeric blocks orthe like, may be utilized. Each spring 112 includes a coil portion 114which is open in the middle such that the shaft 110 extendstherethrough. A base leg 116 extends from one end of the coil portion114 and is configured to be retained by a cavity 87 in the base plate 70as will be described hereinafter. A top leg 118 extends from the otherend of the coil portion 114 and is configured to be retained by a cavity107 in the top plate 90 as will be described hereinafter. The springs112 are configured to bias the plates 70, 90 such that the forward ends73, 93 are forced toward one another.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12 , an illustrative base plate 70 will bedescribed. The base plate 70 includes a body 72 extending from a rearend 71 to a forward end 73. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 72is defined by a rigid structure 72 a and a semi-rigid structure 72 b,however, such is not required. By rigid, it is meant that the structuregenerally maintains it shape without bending or having notableelasticity, while the semi-rigid structure maintains it shape, however,has a measure of elasticity. The rigid structure 72 a generally definesthe outer surface, the hinge posts 81, 83, 84 and the ridge 86. Thesemi-rigid structure 72 b generally defines the inner surface and theteeth 76, 78. With this configuration, the teeth 76, 78 and innersurface provide additional friction and grip on the coverings 12.

The rear end 71 of the body 72 defines a pair of strap receiving slots74 a, 74 b. The slots 74 a, 74 b are configured to receive and retain arespective end of the strap 62 as will be described in more detailhereinafter. Each of the slots 74 a, 74 b may have a tapered edge 75configured to “bite” into the strap 62 and provide greater retention.The rear end 71 may have a tapered configuration as illustrated, butsuch is not required.

The forward end 73 of the body 72 defines a plurality of teeth 76, 78extending upward therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, a forwardtooth 76 extends laterally across the forward end 73 proximate thereto.The tooth 76 includes a rear taper to define a biting end 77 along thefree end of the tooth 76. A plurality of longitudinal teeth 78 extendfrom the body 72 rearward from the forward tooth 76. The longitudinalteeth 78 extend generally perpendicular to the forward tooth 76. Each ofthe longitudinal teeth 78 have a length 1 larger than their width w. Thelongitudinal teeth 78 are laterally spaced from one another. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the teeth 78 are tapered on each side todefine a biting end 79.

The hinge posts 81, 83, 84 extend from the body 72 rearward of thelongitudinal teeth 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge postsinclude two pairs of outer posts 81, 83 and a central post 84. The outerposts 81, 83 are spaced from one another such that a hinge post of thetop plate 90 may be received there between. Each of the posts 81, 83, 84has a shaft bore 85 extending therethrough. The shaft posts 81, 83, 84preferably have a larger height than the teeth 76, 78, such that whenthe plates 70, 90 are interconnected, the plates 70, 90 angle toward oneanother toward the forward ends 73, 93, as shown in FIG. 4 . A ridge 86extends from the body 72 rearward of the central post 84 and defines apair of cavities 87. Each cavity 87 is configured to receive and retaina respective base leg 116 of one of the springs 112.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16 , an illustrative top plate 90 will bedescribed. The top plate 90 includes a body 92 extending from a rear end91 to a forward end 93. The rear end 91 may have a tapered configurationas illustrated, but such is not required. In the illustrated embodiment,the body 92 is defined by a rigid structure 92 a and a semi-rigidstructure 92 b, however, such is not required. The rigid structure 92 agenerally defines the outer surface, the hinge posts 101, 102, 103 andthe ridges 106. The semi-rigid structure 92 b generally defines theinner surface and the teeth 96. With this configuration, the teeth 96and inner surface provide additional friction and grip on the coverings12.

The forward end 93 of the body 92 defines a plurality of teeth 96extending downward therefrom. Each tooth 96 includes a rear taper todefine a biting end 97 along the free end of the tooth 96. In theillustrated embodiment, the teeth 96 are provided in a plurality oflaterally spaced apart rows. While five rows, with three teeth 96 ineach row, are illustrated, more or fewer rows may be provided, and eachrow may have more or fewer teeth 96. The rows have an open area 98therebetween. The open area 98 has a width W which is greater than thewidth w of each of the longitudinal teeth 78. With this configuration,the longitudinal teeth 78 are received within the open areas 98 whilestill having lateral space 97 between the teeth 78 and the teeth 96 (seeFIG. 7 ). Similarly, there is lateral open area 99 forward of the teeth96 which is configured to receive the forward tooth 76 of the base plate70. Referring to FIG. 4 , it is preferable that the teeth 76, 78 of thebase plate 70 have a larger height than the teeth 96 of the top plate90. With this configuration, the spacing between the teeth 76, 78, 96allows the clips 60 to receive multiple coverings 12, including bulkycoverings like a comforter. However, if a single, thin covering 12 isreceived, the teeth 76, 78 will engage the covering 12 between the teeth76, 78 and the inside surface of the top plate 90.

The hinge posts 101, 102, 103 extend from the body 92 rearward of theteeth 98. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge posts include twoouter posts 101 and a pair of central posts 102, 103. Each of the outerposts 101 is positioned to be received in the space between the outerposts 81, 83 of the base plate 70. Similarly, the posts 102, 103 arespaced from one another such that the center hinge post 84 of the baseplate 70 may be received there between. Each of the posts 101, 102, 103has a shaft bore 105 extending therethrough. The shaft posts 101 102,103 preferably have a larger height than the teeth 96 such that when theplates 70, 90 are interconnected, the plates 70, 90 angle toward oneanother toward the forward ends 73, 93, as shown in FIG. 4 . A ridge 106extends from the body 92 rearward of each outer post 101 and eachdefines a cavity 107. Each cavity 107 is configured to receive andretain a respective top leg 118 of one of the springs 112.

Referring to FIGS. 17-22 , an alternative clip 60′ will be described.The plates 70′, 90′ of clip 60′ are substantially the same as theprevious embodiment except the plates 70′, 90′ have different teethconfigurations. More particularly, the teeth 78′ of the base plate 70′have a sloped portion 88 toward the forward end and a flat portion 89toward the rear end. The biting end 79′ extends along the sloped portion88 and the flat portion 89. On the top plate 90′, each row of teethincludes two teeth 96′a and 96′b, as opposed to three illustrated in theprevious embodiment. Additionally, the rearward teeth 96′b are tallerthan the forward teeth 96′a. Each of the teeth 96′a, 96′b have a bitingend 97 as in the previous embodiment. In other aspects, the clip 60′ isthe same as the previous embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24 , an illustrative strap 62 and itsattachment to the clips 60 will be described. The strap 62 includes abody 64 extending between free ends 61, 63. In the illustratedembodiment, a buckle 66 is provided along the strap body 64 which allowsfor adjusting of the length of the strap 62 between the ends 61, 63.Having an adjustable length allows the retention assembly 50 to beutilized with different size beds 10 or in different configurations asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, a strap with fixed length may beprovided and adjustment may be made by adjusting the strap 62 relativeto one or both of the clips 60.

FIG. 24 illustrates how a free end 61, 63 of the strap 62 is connectedwith a respective clip 60. As a first step, the free end 61, 63 ispassed through strap slot 74 b. The free end 61, 63 is then looped backand passed through the other strap slot 74 a. The free end 61, 63 isthen pulled to secure the strap 62 in the slots 74 a, 74 b. Thisconnection allows the length of the strap 62 relative to the clips 60 tobe easily adjusted, for example, to change the sheet tension or to movethe clips 60 to a different configuration. Other connection mechanismsmay be utilized, including non-adjustable mechanisms.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the disclosure. It shouldtherefore be understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure as defined in the claims.

1. A covering retention assembly comprising: first and second clips,each clip comprising: a base plate extending from a rear end to aforward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an innersurface of the base plate proximate the forward end; a top plateextending from a rear end to a forward end with at least one top platetooth extending from an inner surface of the top plate proximate theforward end; and a hinge assembly interconnecting the base plate and topplate such that the forward end of the top plate is biased toward theforward end of the base plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts theinner surface of the other plate and each tooth of the base plate and islaterally and longitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate;and a strap extending between first and second free ends, with the firstfree end connected with the first clip and the second free end connectedwith the second clip.
 2. The covering retention assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth and the at least onetop plate tooth are defined by a semi-rigid material.
 3. The coveringretention assembly according to claim 2 wherein the inner surface of thebase plate and the inner surface of the top plate are defined by asemi-rigid material.
 4. The covering retention assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth includes a laterallyextending tooth proximate the forward end.
 5. The covering retentionassembly according to claim 4 wherein the laterally extending toothincludes a free end with a tapered configuration which defines a bitingsurface.
 6. The covering retention assembly according to claim 4 whereinthe at least one base plate tooth further includes a plurality of spacedapart longitudinally extending teeth rearward of the laterally extendingtooth.
 7. The covering retention assembly according to claim 6 whereineach of the longitudinally extending teeth has a sloped portion toward aforward end thereof and a flat portion toward a rear end thereof with atapered biting surface extending along the sloped portion and the flatportion.
 8. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe at least one top plate tooth includes at least two rows of teethwith each row including a plurality of laterally spaced apart teeth. 9.The covering retention assembly according to claim 8 wherein the teethof a rearmost row of the at least two rows of teeth have a height whichis larger than a height of the teeth of a forward most row of the atleast two rows of teeth.
 10. The covering retention assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth includes aplurality of spaced apart base plate teeth and the at least one topplate tooth includes a plurality of spaced apart top plate teeth whereinthe base plate teeth are aligned with spaces between the top plate teethand the top plate teeth are aligned with spaces between the base plateteeth.
 11. The covering retention assembly according to claim 10 whereinthe plurality of spaced apart base plate teeth and the plurality ofspaced apart top plate teeth are spaced from one another.
 12. Thecovering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein a maximumheight of the at least one base plate tooth is larger than a maximumheight of the at least one top plate tooth.
 13. The covering retentionassembly according to claim 1 wherein the strap has an adjustable lengthbetween the first and second ends thereof.
 14. The covering retentionassembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first orsecond ends of the strap is adjustably connected relative to therespective clip.
 15. The covering retention assembly according to claim1 wherein the base plate includes a plurality of strap receiving slotsproximate the rear end.
 16. The covering retention assembly according toclaim 15 wherein each of the slots has a tapered biting edge.
 17. Thecovering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein a plurality ofbase plate hinge posts extend from the base plate inner surface rearwardof the at least one base plate tooth and a plurality of top plate hingeposts extend from the top plate inner surface rearward of the at leastone top plate tooth, each of the base plate hinge posts and top platehinge posts defining respective shaft receiving bores therethrough, theshaft receiving bores receiving a hinge shaft therethrough.
 18. Thecovering retention assembly according to claim 17 wherein the hingeshaft has a central axis and the central axis is positioned a distancefrom the base plate inner surface which is larger than a maximum heightof the at least one base plate tooth and the central axis is positioneda distance from the top plate inner surface which is larger than amaximum height of the at least one top plate tooth.
 19. The coveringretention assembly according to claim 17 wherein at least one biasingelement is supported by the hinge shaft.
 20. The covering retentionassembly according to claim 19 wherein the at least one biasing elementis at least one coil spring.